2018 NFL mock draft: Last-minute 1st-round projections

2018 NFL mock draft: Last-minute 1st-round projections

It all comes down to this. No more speculating, no more guessing, no more wondering; we’ve reached the final stand.

The 2018 NFL draft is upon us as hundreds of potential NFL hopefuls will spend the next few days bug-eyed glued to the television to see if their dreams finally become a reality. From the No. 1 overall pick all the way down to “Mr. Irrelevant,” 256 young men will share the same title when all said and done: Member of the 2018 NFL Draft Class

Without any further ado, here’s my final first round projection for this year’s event.

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1. Cleveland Browns | Baker Mayfield | QB | Oklahoma

The Browns are going crazy on draft night and shocking the world. Excellent vision, quick decision making skills, strong pocket presence and a nice touch to lead his receiver, Mayfield has skills to be a franchise quarterback at the next level and potentially the Savior for the Browns.

2. New York Giants | Saquon Barkley | RB | Penn State

Giants GM Dave Gettleman has never traded down in the first round of his entire career. While the G-Men need help at quarterback, Barkley’s rare combination of size, speed, agility and power makes him an elite prospect and hard to pass up second overall.

3. New York Jets (Via IND) | Sam Darnold | QB | USC

While the Jets might miss out on “Broadway Baker”, Darnold’s skills could be a game changer in the Big Apple. Tremendous accuracy, excellent field vision and physical toughness in the pocket and on the run, Darnold is a franchise caliber quarterback who in time will become successful for the Jets offense.

4. Cleveland Browns (Via HOU) | Bradley Chubb | DE | NC State

The Browns scored big last year with Myles Garrett and could find two long-term book ends. Chubb is an excellent pass rusher who excels from a 4-3 front and can be a three down enforcer for the Browns pass rush.

5. TRADE: Buffalo Bills (Via DEN) | Josh Allen | QB | Wyoming

Broncos receive: 12th pick, 53rd pick, 2019 1st round selection

Bills receive: 5th pick

Buffalo needs a starting-caliber quarterback for the long-term future if they want to come back and compete for another playoff spot. Allen’s raw but his size, massive arm and ability to play in harsh conditions could make him an ideal fit in Orchard Park.

6. Indianapolis Colts | Roquan Smith | LB | Georgia

The Colts need to find a way to protect Andrew Luck but in their new 4-3 defense, they also need an enforcing leader at middle linebacker. Smith is heat-seeking missile that has excellent range in coverage but can lay down the hammer up the middle against the run.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Derwin James | S | Florida State

There is a possibility that the Bucs could be a team that trades back but a talent like James is hard to ignore. The former Seminole star is an excellent blitzer, shines in man coverage against larger receivers and tight ends and has range as a tackler to help Tampa’s defense become dominant once again.

8. Chicago Bears| Quenton Nelson | OG | Notre Dame

The top player in this year’s class finally falls off the board. Nelson is an all-pro caliber guard with incredible footwork, strong hands and the ability to pulverize defenders into the ground. He will be a key part in helping the development of Mitchell Trubisky.

9. TRADE: New England Patriots| Josh Rosen | QB | UCLA

With a crazy early run on quarterbacks, the Patriots can’t wait any longer to find their future signal-caller. Elite footwork, excellent pocket presence and a fiery competitive spirit, Rosen will be able to learn under one of the best in keep the Patriots relevant as the heir to Tom Brady.

10. TRADE: Arizona Cardinals | Lamar Jackson | QB | Louisville

Raiders receive: 15th pick, 97th pick, 134th pick

Cardinals receive: 10th pick, 159th pick

With the top four names off the board, the Cardinals can’t give Miami a chance at taking the last top level gunslinger. Jackson during the offseason proved that he has the arm strength, IQ, pocket awareness and dual-threat ability teams want in a franchise quarterback.

11. Miami Dolphins |Tremaine Edmunds | LB | Virginia Tech

The Dolphins could look to address their quarterback issues but with the top five guys gone, they should look to fix their front seven. Best used as a SAM back, Edmunds pass rushing skills with youthful growth of potential could immediately fix the Dolphins linebacker corp.

12. Denver Broncos (Via BUF) | Denzel Ward | CB | Ohio State

The Broncos traded away Aqib Talib this offseason and Bradley Roby has been solid in the slot. Ward’s physical playing style suits him better for the outside while his timing, tackling skills and breakaway speed makes him a valuable defender to add to an already talented defense.

13. Washington Redskins | Vita Vea | DT | Washington

Washington has needed to address their front pass rush for quite some time now. Some may view Vea as one-gap player but his size and ability to disengage from defenders and powerful lower body could make him a nice addition out in our Nation’s Capitol.

14. Green Bay Packers | Minkah Fitzpatrick | DB | Alabama

The Packers need to fix their secondary all around but especially at cornerback. Fitzpatrick is a versatile talent that has played every defensive back position and found success. While he might be better suited at safety, don’t think for a second the former Alabama star can’t shine as a cornerback.

15. Oakland Raiders (Via AZ) | Mike McGlinchey | OT | Notre Dame

The Raiders need to find a way to protect Derek Carr while also establishing their run game. The best run-blocking tackle in the class, McGlinchey is a plug-and-play right tackle with solid pass protection skills that could bolster any offensive line.

16. Baltimore Ravens | Leighton Vander Esch | LB | Boise State

Baltimore is a tricky team to look at in the draft. With the top quarterbacks off the board and after adding a slew of receiver this offseason, Vander Esch is an excellent option. Great in coverage with excellent timing as a blitzer, the former Bronco would pair perfectly with C.J. Mosley in the Ravens 3-4 defense.

17. Los Angeles Chargers | Da’Ron Payne | DL | Alabama

The Chargers will lose Corey Liuget for four games this season and could use depth for their defensive line. A two-gap player who excelled in big time games, Payne is a bull-rushing, disruptive nose tackle that causes major mismatches up front as a dominant run stopper.

18. Seattle Seahawks | Joshua Jackson | CB | Iowa

The Seahawks have rolled with their offensive line woes in the past and with the top tackle off the board, they’ll do it again. Jackson has the ideal size, length and coverage skills Pete Carroll loves at cornerback. The Seahawks gamble and find Richard Sherman’s replacement on Day 1.

19. Dallas Cowboys | Calvin Ridley | WR | Alabama

The Cowboys are certainly in the market for a wide receiver after releasing Dez Bryant earlier this month. A smooth route-runner with excellent hands and the ability to play multiple roles, Ridley is a top-level receiver who can become an immediate replacement for Bryant down in the Lone Star state.

20. Detroit Lions | Harold Landry | EDGE | Boston College

The Lions were able to sign Ziggy Ansah to a deal but they desperately need to fix their pass rush to compete in the NFC North. Excellent in the LEO role, Landry is sack artist machine with great speed and the ability to win off the edge and terrorize backfields.

21. Cincinnati Bengals | Frank Ragnow | OL |Arkansas

The Bengals could go a multitude of ways here, but it seems the best move would be to fix their offensive line. A mean, gritty blocker with the ability to play multiple positions and excels in run blocking, Ragnow should make a late push and help the Bengals ground game.

22. Buffalo Bills | James Daniels | OC | Iowa

The Bills were able to keep one of their first round picks and now must find a center to protect Josh Allen up the middle. Quick off the snap with a strong lower body and excellent balance, Daniels is a perfect fit in Buffalo to help improve the Bills offensive line.

23. San Francisco 49ers (Via NE) | Courtland Sutton | WR | SMU

Jimmy Garoppolo has his slot receiver in Marquise Goodwin and his possession receiver in Pierre Garcon but he still needs a boundary receiver. Massive size, strong timing and ability to box out cornerbacks in man coverage, Sutton would be an excellent red zone target for the 49ers for years to come.

24. Carolina Panthers | Jaire Alexander | CB | Louisville

The Panthers need help on both sides of the ball but are in dire need of a starting cornerback. An excellent open field tackler with press coverage ability and knack for causing turnovers, Alexander is premier cornerback who could help fix the Panthers secondary.

25. Tennessee Titans | Marcus Davenport | EDGE | UTSA

The Titans need to address their pass rush as their current roster is slowly rising in age. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, Davenport excels in getting off blocks and forcing his way into the backfield. From a stand up role, the former Roadrunner could be a nightmare for quarterbacks.

26. Atlanta Falcons | Taven Bryan | DL | Florida

This is a pretty obvious and pick and for good reason. The Falcons have to fix their front line with several players heading into contract years. Athletically sound with a great first step to cause havoc in the backfield, Bryan is a strong defensive tackle who will excel in Dan Quinn’s defense.

27. New Orleans Saints | DJ Moore | WR | Maryland

With the loss of Willie Snead, the Saints will need to find another pass catcher for Drew Brees in the slot. Excellent hands with the ability to win in man coverage and then after the catch, Moore is a solid route runner who could help the Saints offense immediately.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rashaan Evans | LB | Alabama

The Steelers might one day have Ryan Shazier back on the field, but as of now, they must look to find a thumper up the middle to take his place. Great speed and coverage skills to go along with the old school linebacker feel, Evans is a perfect fit for Steel City defense up the middle.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars | Will Hernandez | OG | UTEP

The Jaguars have very little holes after signing Andrew Norwell, but A.J. Cann might be the biggest one at left guard. A road warrior in the trenches that opens wide running lanes, Hernandez is a perfect guard to help take Leonard Fournette and the Jags defense to the next level.

30. Minnesota Vikings | Isaiah Wynn | OG | Georgia

The Vikings were able to grab their franchise quarterback in Kirk Cousins during free agency. Finding protection for him is probably the best plan of option. Tough, solid in pass protection and high football IQ, Wynn is a Day 1 starter at guard and a great asset to a dominant offense.

31. San Francisco 49ers (Via NE) | Connor Williams | OT | Texas

The 49ers just signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a massive contract this offseason, so finding protection up the middle or outside is the best plan. A gifted pass blocker with solid size and high football IQ, Williams could play either role and help keep Garoppolo from getting destroyed up the middle.

32. Philadelphia Eagles | Derrius Guice | RB | LSU

The Eagles have little needs moving forward but one could be finding a top tier running back to take pressure off of Carson Wentz. A hard-nosed runner with great speed and athletic ability into the open field, Guice’s skills could take the Eagles offense to different levels in 2018.